Increasing Pharmacy Engagement in the VFC Program
The Pharmacy-based Vaccines for Children (VFC) Vision Project, led by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), assessed the barriers to pharmacy participation in the federally funded VFC Program and provided actionable recommendations to increase pharmacy engagement. The VFC Program, overseen by the CDC, delivers vaccines to eligible children at no cost, yet pharmacies represent less than 1% of enrolled providers. Despite their proven role in vaccine administration, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacies face operational, financial, and perceptual barriers to VFC participation. These include administrative burdens, inadequate compensation for vaccine administration, and misconceptions about compliance requirements. Project Stakeholders developed twelve recommendations for consideration by the CDC to enhance pharmacy participation in the program. These recommendations cover:
- Operational Improvements: Streamlining enrollment, modernizing inventory management, and aligning
federal and state program requirements. - Financial Support: Ensuring fair reimbursement aligned with Medicare rates and offering grants or tax credits to offset uncompensated care and equipment costs.
- Educational Outreach: Clarifying misperceptions, enhancing public awareness of pharmacy roles in immunization, and reframing compliance visits as supportive interactions.
Pharmacies’ extended hours, community trust, and widespread accessibility make them crucial for improving
vaccine access, especially for underserved populations. Implementing these recommendations can significantly enhance program efficiency and vaccine uptake, ultimately reducing preventable diseases among vulnerable children.
View the Recommendations for Consideration one-pager here.
This project was supported by grant support from Merck, Pfizer, and Seqirus.